The StyleWright

Product Review: The Ayurveda Collection by Rituals

Bath Products Helping Busy People Slow Down, One Shower at A Time

Living in New York City, you get pretty used to having a busy, fast-paced, ‘no time to waste’ lifestyle. As someone balancing school, a job and an internship (or at least trying my best to), sometimes it feels like I don’t even have the time to slow down and unwind. I do, however, know that sometimes, you just need a little “me time.” A few weeks ago, I attended an event hosted by Rituals Cosmetics where they showcased the Ritual of Ayurveda collection, letting guests try out some of the products. When the event was over, everyone (including the luckiest intern ever, AKA ME) received an awesome swag bag with full-size containers of the different products they had displayed at the event. As the kind of person who likes to try just about everything, I couldn’t wait to get home and try them all out!

About Rituals

Founded in 2000 by Raymond Cloosterman, Rituals aims to turn everyday routines into cherishable moments, helping their customers to “find happiness in the smallest of things” with the use of their products. Inspired by ancient Eastern traditions, each product uses specific fragrance combinations to help stimulate the senses and encourages you to immerse yourself in some “me time”.

Socially Conscious Showers

What really sets Rituals apart is how noticeably dedicated they are to ensuring that their products are of the highest quality possible, as well as how socially conscious they are. Rituals takes inspiration from ancient Eastern traditions like Laughing Buddha, Dao, and Ayurveda, but unlike other lifestyle brands that might take bits and pieces, Rituals completely centralizes the ideals of each tradition. The perfect example of their dedication to each tradition is the way in which they created separate product lines for each one in order to emphasize and properly appreciate their differences. Each product line offers a variety of body and skin care products, candles, and incense to help you find balance and peace, even after your shower.

If that wasn’t enough, all their products are 100% paraben, phthalates MIT free, AND 100% free of plastic microbeads. They use all natural, sustainable and organic ingredients in their products, and use safe alternatives for the ingredients not found in nature. The company also supports the Dutch Society for Replacement of Animal Testing, so they never test on animals, and they enforce a strict “no-tolerance policy” prohibiting forced and child labor (even with their suppliers!). Rituals also strives to be as Earth-friendly as possible so their packaging is recyclable, PVC-free, and (whenever its possible) biodegradable. Their shopping bags and gift sets use PEFC certified paper, and they manufacture most of their products in Europe to maintain a small carbon footprint. Additionally, they released refill containers for their body creams which, according to their website, reduce CO2 by 70%, saves 60% in energy, and uses 45% less water on a yearly basis. Rituals also teams up with different organizations such as the Tiny Miracles Foundation, a charity that helps provide necessities for underprivileged children in Mumbai, India and are members of the Better Cotton Initiative, which works toward improving the cotton production industry for both the environment and the people producing the cotton.

The Ritual of Ayurveda

Originating in India, Ayurveda is a form of medicine that works toward integrating the body, mind, and spirit to improve health and well-being, ensuring a balanced living. The practice focuses on diet, exercise, meditation, breathing, and cleansing and nourishing your energy. The Ritual of Ayurveda collection was designed to support this philosophy. The collection uses ingredients like Indian rose and Himalayan honey to help balance the body, mind, and soul.

Now, Onto The Product Reviews…

Rejuvenating Himalayan Salt Scrub

The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Scrub

I LOVE a good body scrub. When I decided to test out the Rituals products, the Himalayan Salt Scrub was at the top of my list. I can be rather picky when it comes to body scrubs (i.e. if it’s too rough and unpleasant, or too soft and it’s barely exfoliating!), so I’m always looking for a new one to fulfill my exfoliation-related wishes. Ever since I tried this one, it has become my new go-to! According to their website, the scrubs’ Ayurvedic properties work best when you take a warm bath. I don’t have a bath, but I used mine in the shower and it felt just as good. As a salt scrub, it’s on the grainier side and really gets the job done without being too rough.

Aside from the Himalayan salt, the scrubs’ other main ingredients are Sweet Almond Oil and Indian Rose. Sometimes my skin can get irritated if I use scented products, so I was hesitant to try it. However, it has been two weeks since I started using the scrub, and it has not irritated my skin at all! Of all the products that I tested from the collection, the scrub is hands down my favorite. After just the first use, I felt like a whole new person. The Indian Rose gives the scrub a pleasant smell, without being overwhelming. The Sweet Almond Oil feels smooth and moisturizing without feeling greasy. The instructions say to use it once or twice a week. Given how nicely it exfoliates, I’ve found that twice a week is definitely enough.

Harmonizing Foaming Shower Gel

The Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel

After I exfoliated with the body scrub, the next step was to use their Foaming Shower Gel. I’ve always preferred shower gels over bar soap, but this product was on a whole other level! The foaming shower gel is also made with Sweet Almond Oil and Indian Rose so it also smells amazing. The gel itself comes out clear, but the real magic happens when you start applying it. When it comes into contact with water, it turns into one of the most luxurious foams I have ever experienced. The foam is super thick and rich, but without feeling too heavy on the skin. I swear it was like I could literally feel my skin getting softer as I rubbed it on my skin.

Balancing Body Cream

The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Cream

After my shower, it was time to use the Balancing Body Cream with Indian Rose and Honey (originally known as Honey Touch). When I first opened the tub, I immediately noticed how thick the cream was. I hate when creams feel heavy, so I was really hoping this one wouldn’t do that. Even though I thought it would, just like the other products, I was proven wrong. Like, way wrong. The cream goes on thick and smooth, but it’s neither heavy nor greasy. It also left my skin feeling soft, silky, and well-nourished. All I wanted to do was touch my legs all day! Plus, the scent lasted for almost the entire day in a perfectly subtle way.

Overall

If it wasn’t already obvious, I loved these products. Not just any love, I’m talking that ‘haven’t used anything else since I tested them out’ kind of love. All of the products were incredibly luxurious and using them had me feeling like a queen. After my shower, I felt like a whole new person; the products were amazingly invigorating and they left my skin feeling like it could breathe. Hands down, my favorite product was the Himalayan Salt Scrub but, believe me, I plan on repurchasing the whole collection. Aside from having great products, I also really like what the company stands for. Personally, that just makes my experience with them that much more enjoyable!